COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 03449469
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1066921
North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Unaudited Financial Statements
31 March 2025
WALTER HUNTER & CO LIMITED
Chartered accountants
24 Bridge Street
Newport
South Wales
NP20 4SF

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)
Independent examiner's report to the trustees
Statement of financial activities (including income and
expenditure account)
Statement of financial position
Statement of cash flows
Notes to the financial statements
Page
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13
15
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18

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the
unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name
North Bristol Advice Centre
Charity registration number
1066921
Company registration number 03449469
Principal office and registered 2 Gainsborough Square
office
Lockleaze
Bristol
BS7 9XA
The trustees
Independent examiner
S Edmunds
R Walters
J Rogers
J Sankey
J Garel
C MacDiarmid
C Moore
R Hey
Mr Jonathan Rhodes BSc BFP FCA
24 Bridge Street
Newport
South Wales
NP20 4SF
(Resigned 16 July 2025)
(Resigned 16 September 2024)
(Appointed 10 July 2024)
(Served from 11 September 2024 to
16 July 2025)

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, governance and management
The trustees are pleased to present their annual Directors' report together with the financial
statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the
requirements for a Directors' report for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the
Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of
Recommended Practice applicable to small charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 01
January 2015).
The organisation incorporated as a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered as a
14/10/97. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which
established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of
Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an
amount not exceeding £1.
Organisational Structure
North Bristol Advice Centre has a Management Committee who meet monthly and are responsible for
the strategic direction and policy of the charity. This financial year the board had seven members from
a variety of backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity.
A scheme of delegation is in place and day to day responsibility for the provision of the services rests
with the Director, Head of Services, Welfare Benefits Team Leader and Debt Team Leader. The
Director is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key targets
are met. The Head of Services and Advice Team Leads have responsibility for the day-to-day
operational management of the advice service, and individual supervision of the advice team. They
also ensure that team members continue to develop their skills and working practices in line with good
practice.
Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee
The Directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the
company's Articles are known as members of the Management Committee. North Bristol Advice
2

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Trustee Induction and Training
Most trustees familiarise themselves with the practical work of the charity by undertaking a tour of the
Advice Centre and the Outreach Work. Additionally, new trustees attend briefing sessions on the
Charity and the context within which it operates. These are led by the Chair of the Management
• The obligations of Management Committee members
• The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity including the
Memorandum and Articles
• Resourcing and the current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts
• Publications from the Charity Commission relating to the roles and responsibilities of trustees
• Future plans and objectives
Ongoing training is encouraged and regular policy days are held to ensure the Business Plan is
delivering and on target. A Trustee Induction Pack is provided.
3

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities
Purposes and Aims
Located in Lockleaze, Bristol, North Bristol Advice Centre (NBAC) is a community-based advice
centre. It is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.
Our charity's objects are:
• to assist in the promotion of any charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of North
Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas by the provision of free and independent advice and
support, especially in relation to access to welfare benefits and managing personal debt; and
to advance education and provide training and other services that support and strengthen the
skills, health and wellbeing of the said inhabitants.
The aims of the charity are to promote social justice and combat poverty by providing free and
independent advice and support that enables people to develop skills, improve wellbeing and make
positive changes in their lives and communities.
Our activities
We help people at times of crisis, work to address the causes of deprivation and support people to
take practical steps to improve their situation in the longer term. The activities we provided to meet
our objectives included:
• Free, confidential and independent advice services, including welfare benefits and debt advice,
complex casework and representation at tribunal.
• Digital inclusion work to increase digital skills, improve access to online tools and services and
increase financial and social inclusion.
• Home-visiting advice services for older people to maximise income and help them remain
independent in their homes.
North Bristol Advice Centre has been serving the communities of North Bristol and South
4

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Review of 2024/25
This year, NBAC celebrated its 40th anniversary, though celebrate is perhaps the wrong word. The
founding volunteers who set up the Lockleaze Community Advice Service back in 1984 could hardly
imagine how this small information point would grow into a professional advice service covering all of
North Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Sadly, 40 years on, the need for NAC's advice services is
higher than ever. Cost of living pressures, assaults on benefits entitlements, complex family situations
complicated by illness or disability and bureaucratic systems that generate needless suffering have
created unprecedented demand for our services. Last year our administrative team handled 2000
more enquiries than the year before and had to turn away 900 people because our appointment slots
were all full.
Our anniversary year was a chance to reflect on past work, present need and to plan for the future. In
October we launched our 5-year strategic plan "Sustain and Develop". We developed this over 3
years, working with staff and volunteers, trustees, stakeholders, clients and community partners, who
all fed into the development of the plan. The plan highlights the ongoing need for community-based
advice, while recognising the challenges and constraints of the current funding environment. Our
overall aim is to sustain our community-based advice services, while continuing to develop and
innovate in order to provide the best outcomes for our clients. NBAC remains committed to being a
dynamic and responsive organisation, delivering the services needed in our communities.
We were delighted to be awarded 3-year National Lottery Community Funding this year towards our
core services, providing us the stability that long-term core funding brings. We continue to be
supported by a number of local and national trusts and foundations (detailed in the financial review
section) who share our ethos and are invaluable in enabling NBAC to maintain its advice services.
Some 50% of our income now comes from trusts and foundations and we are hugely grateful for their
support.
This year we were able to realise a long-standing ambition to reduce our environmental impact with an
Energy Efficiency project. We secured funding for an energy audit, and the installation of cavity wall
insulation, loft insulation, LED lights throughout the office, and solar panels. This will help us to reduce
costs by up to £1500 per year, while also reducing our carbon emissions.
Over the past few years we have worked hard to build up our volunteering programme. This year,
NBAC was supported by an amazing team of 29 volunteers who gave their time, expertise and
dedication to support our clients and services. Together, they donated 1442 hours, the equivalent
£20,044. Through their roles as Tea and Tech volunteers, Advice Support Volunteers, Debt
training, support and supervision to our volunteers to ensure they are well supported and have a
positive and meaningful experience with us.
5

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Working in partnership remains core to NBAC's ethos and our ability to deliver the advice support our
communities need. This year we focused on:
Community partnerships - We continued our outreach sessions co-locating with community partners
Advice partnerships - NBAC is part of the Bristol Advice Partnership (BAP) comprised of the mair
advice agencies in Bristol. This year the partnership delivered the Future of Advice in Bristol event
bringing together over 100 funders, stakeholders and providers together to feed into the development
of a VCSE Advice Strategy for Bristol. NBAC is also part of the South Gloucestershire Advice Service
(SGAS), working in partnership with other advice agencies to provide advice to communities across
South Gloucestershire.
VCSE partnerships - We continued our partnership with Housing Matters, developing our priority
referral system to improve client journeys and access specialist housing advice for our clients. NBAC
remains a committed partner of WHAM, the Centre for Sustainable Energy's multi-agency project
providing holistic support to people in fuel poverty and financial hardship. NBAC is also a member of
the VCSE Alliance, which is a key strategic partner in the transformation and delivery of local health
and wellbeing through influencing and collaborating with the Bristol, North Somerset and South
Gloucestershire Integrated Care System.
Digital Outreach in Communities - Our digital outreach service, Tea and Tech, continued across
North Bristol and beyond, hosted by partners in community settings including Avonmouth Community
Centre, Shirehampton JTE, Henbury and Brentry Community Centre and St Chad's. We trialled
sessions with Bristol Refugee Rights and Bristol Methodist Centre (now Homeless Link) supporting
their client groups. We also collaborated with the Mendip Vale Group (MVG) in Sea Mills to support
patients to upload, register and use their NHS App, with MVG on hand to rectify any technical issues.
ACFA (The Advice Network) - NBAC is an active member of this network for independent advice
agencies across the West of England, with our Director acting as Chair of Trustees. This year ACFA
has gone from strength to strength, successfully delivering a range of mental health and wellbeing
training for frontline advice workers, developing a strategy and securing onward funding to develop the
network. NBAC worked in partnership with BAP, Bristol City Council and ACFA as one of 14 agencies
to deliver additional advice services under the Household Support Fund.
6

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance
How our activities deliver public benefit.
Our main activities and who we support are described below. Full details on how our services benefit
clients, including client stories, can be viewed in our Impact Report, available on our website.
Who used and benefited from our services?
We supported 2231 people in communities across North Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
31% of advice clients suffered from mental ill health, 7% had a long-term illness and 21% were
physically disabled. 40% were unfit to work and 60% were living in social housing or private rented
accommodation. 22% were BAME, speaking 23 different languages.
People sought our support due to the high living costs (with many in "deep poverty", unable to meet
their basic needs) as well as unexpected changes of circumstance such as unemployment, long term
illness, bereavement or disability which plunge them into sudden and severe financial difficulties.
Those on legacy benefits, who are among the most vulnerable, needed support with the transition to
Universal Credit (UC), including help to resolve incorrect calculations that led to under and over
Those at Code eing mandal rit, Diers need red,
they're entitled to or need legal support to challenge decisions of the local authority, DWP and HMRC.
The demand for complex casework for both welfare benefits and debt remains high. For our digital
inclusion work, the majority of drop-in attendees (75%) were over 65. 15% did not have internet
access in their homes, while 12% had never used a computer before. Some 10% were from BAME
communities.
Advice services
NBAC provides specialist welfare benefits and debt advice. Some 60% of this is specialist legal advice
made up of end-to-end casework and appeals support, including representation at tribunal.
• 6109 enquiries handled by our admin team
• 237 people supported at triage with one office advice or to self-help
1834 people received one-to-one advice support
• 408 people at risk of homelessness kept in housing
£1,900,677 was raised for clients
£4,380,940 in debt was managed
• 95% success rate at appeal
We survey our advice clients at case closed to gain feedback on the impact of our services. This year
98 people completed questionnaire, fewer than previous years. We are reviewing the way we gather
this feedback and will trial using an online form, to improve responses. The results of the data are
consistent with previous years, with clients reporting that, as a result of our advice and support:
: 86% were in a better financial situation
84% were less stressed
• 89% felt better able to manage their affairs
86% had improved understanding of their legal rights
7

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Three months after case closed, we contact clients by phone to get feedback on the long-term impact
of our support. 119 people responded, with over half of saying there had been long term changes in
their life as a result of our advice:
• 80% have been able to budget and plan their expenditure
86% teel more confident about keeping a roof over their head
77% feel more in control of their finances now
We also ask our clients what they spend their increased income on, with more/better food and keeping
homes warm scoring highest by far.
w you've got more money coming in, what kinds of things are y
le to use it for - that were perhaps difficult to pay for befor
Treats/presents for kids/grandchildren
Transport
Social activities / going out / trips / holiday
Savings
Other
More or better food
Keeping warmer/ home improvements
10
20
30
50
50
Our professional advisers were supported by a team of trained and dedicated Advice Support
Volunteers who provided one-to-one support to people at the start of their claim journey. They help
clients to understand how the claims process works, what sort of evidence they need to gather
appropriate information to include on their application form, and help them to complete complex
benefit forms. They also pick up on where clients might need other help and signpost them. This early
intervention work helped ensure vulnerable people secured their legal entitlements, preventing
financial problems developing or escalating. Volunteers also complete charity applications for white
goods/beds/carpets for those most in need.
Home Visiting Advice Service
A total of 67 older people were supported through our home visiting service, with £240,402 in income
raised. This service is for older people who cannot access advice services due to disability, poor
health conditions or mobility problems.
challenging decisions (eg. Carers' Allowance overpayments) or if an award/decision is incorrect,
following up with Mandatory Reconsideration application. A home visit allows our adviser to pick up
on other issues (e.g. cold homes, adaptation needs) and link clients in with local services.
8

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Digital Inclusion
In addition to our weekly Lockleaze drop-in, we delivered 104 "Tea and Tech" outreach sessions in 9
ommunity settings, supporting 130 people. These sessions are supported by our team of Tea an
ech volunteers who give one-to-one help to people to develop their digital skills and knowledge in
way, and at a pace, suitable for them.
• 130 people received one-to-one digital support
155 sessions held in Lockleaze and across North Bristol
• 701 foot-fall at drop-in and outreach
• 95% of attendees can get online independently as a result of attending drop-in
Our volunteers keep track of what clients are supported to learn, captured in the chart below:
Type of Digital Support Sought
Use an email address
Use a search engine
Update my passwords
Social media
Online forms
Learning online
Health
Finances
Connect device to internet
Communication apps
Buying things online
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
9

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Financial review
During
the year, we were once again successful in raising funds, with income from donations,
charitable trusts and grants generating £591,970 (2024: £571,810) while expenditure was £556,004
(2024: £539,810). There was a surplus of £35,966 (2024: £32,000).
Principal Funding Sources
Our main core tunding came from Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire County Council, Mone!
and Pensions Service (MaPS), the Henry Smith Charity, The Nisbet Trust, Garfield Westor
Foundation, The Access to Justice Foundation, Quartet Community Foundation, Allen and Overy, Th
National Lottery Community Fund, John James Bristol Foundation, St Monica Trust and The Dolphi
Society. We were also supported by a range of charitable trusts and individual donors. Without their
support we would not be able to deliver the current level and quality of services to local communities.
Our fundraising
NBAC does not actively fundraise from the public. The Management Committee were pleased to
receive unsolicited donations from clients and supporters. Our one fundraising activity is the Bristol
Legal Walk where staff and volunteers raise sponsorship money while raising awareness of the free
legal advice sector.
Investment policy
NBAC is in the fortunate position of owning the building where it operates. This property represents
the charity's most substantial asset, and is a good long term investment. CAF Bank deposit account
a source of ethical investment and interest. We also have savings with Cambridge &
Reserves policy
The Management Committee has examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main
risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or
invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of the
expenditure, which currently equates to £125,000 to £250,000. At this level, the Management
Committee feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a
significant drop in funding, allowing time to secure alternative funding or make changes. The current
level of general reserves is £238,276 for running costs. We have further reserves held as capital within
10

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Priorities for the year ahead
• Develop an action plan to prioritise and deliver on the aims in our strategic plan.
Work with the Bristol Advice Partnership to submit a bid for the new 4-year advice grant tro
ristol City Council, supporting the sustainability of NBAC and advice services in North Bristo
• Develop our outreach services in North Bristol communities, focusing on Southmead and
Lawrence Weston over the next two years.
• Continue to develop our partnerships and collaborations with advice and other partners, to
improve access to advice and outcomes for clients.
• Promote wellbeing for all staff and volunteers within NBAC in a proactive way that helps to embed
wellbeing in our ethos, culture and ways of working.
• Maintain and develop relationships with local and national trusts and foundations that share our
ethos, securing the long-term funding needed to develop and deliver services that help make
change.
• Work with ACFA, key agencies and stakeholders to increase strategic engagement and influence
policy locally and nationally.
Risk management
xposed. A risk register has been established and is updated at least annually. Where appropriate
ystems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significan
external risks to funding have led to the development of a funding strategy which will allow for the
diversification of income streams. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of
procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure
compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the centre.
Related Parties
In so far as it is complementary to the charity's objects, the charity is guided by both local and national
policy. NBAC works in partnership with other local and city-wide professional agencies to ensure a
range of complimentary services. We are aware of national developments which could have an impact
on our service, for example ongoing Government changes to social welfare law and the welfare state.
11

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to
the small companies exemption.
The trustees' annual report was approved on 5 November 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of
trustees by:
Foca
S Edmunds
Trustee
12

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of North Bristol Advice Centre
Year ended 31 March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of North Bristol Advice Centre
('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
s the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you a
sponsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of th
Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16
of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination o
the charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act). I
carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under
section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body
listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that i am qualified to undertake the examination
because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW),
which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection
with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1.
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the
2006 Act; or
2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
3. the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of
the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which
is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4.
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and
principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by
charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of North Bristol Advice Centre
(continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to
which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Mr Jonathan Rhodes BSc BFP FCA
Independent Examiner
24 Bridge Street
Newport
South Wales
NP20 4SF
5 November 2025
14

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities
(including income and expenditure account)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Income
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investment income
Other income
Total income
xpenditur
xpenditure on charitable activitie
Total expenditure
Note
5
6
7
8
9
10,11
Unrestricted
funds
€
3,328
147,810
815
15,227
19,617
186,797
150,831
150,831
2025
2024
Restricted
funds
Total funds Total funds
€
Net income and net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
35,966
503,201
539,167
405,173
405,173
405,173
405,173
9,197
9,197
3,328
552,983
815
15,227
19,617
559,970
556,004
556,004
35,966
512,398
548,364
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities
4,632
543,861
10,054
7,021
6,242
571,810
539,810
539,810
32,000
480,398
512,398
The notes on pages 18 to 32 form part of these financial statements.
15

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Position
31 March 2025
2025
2024
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Note
18
203,690
208,621
19
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
20
22,772
386,146
408,918
64,244
344,674
548,364
548,364
19,613
361,008
380,621
76,844
303,777
512,398
512,398
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total charity funds
23
9,197
539,167
548,364
9,197
503,201
512,398
For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477
of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the
year in question in accordance with section 476;
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act
with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to
companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 5
November 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
fore
S Edmunds
Trustee
The notes on pages 18 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Cash Flows
Year ended 31 March 2025
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Other interest receivable and similar income
Interest payable and similar charges
Accrued expenses/(income)
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors
Trade and other creditors
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Interest received
Net cash from operating activities
ash flows from investing activitie
urchase of tangible asse
Net cash used in investing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
2025
35,966
4,931
(15,227)
11,685
5,084
(8,159)
(12,684)
21,596
(11,685)
15,227
25,138
25,138
361,008
386,146
The notes on pages 18 to 32 form part of these financial statements.
2024
32,000
8,997
(7,021)
11,165
(4,917)
(6,529)
(10,906)
22,790
(11,165
7,021
18,646
(1,393)
(1,393)
17,252
343,756
361,008
17

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in
England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the
registered office is 2 Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze, Bristol, BS7 9XA.
2.
Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of
Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities
SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3.
Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The financial
statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements,
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements
are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations
of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the
charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or
commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or
endowment funds of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or
18

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has
passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction
will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies
are applied to particular categories of income:
income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the
gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
• legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
• income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is
impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor
or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the
accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for
the contribution of general volunteers.
income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the
contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual
requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case
it may be regarded as restricted
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any
VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of
financial activities to which it relates:
• expenditure on raising
funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events,
non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking
activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those
support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable
activities.
other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the
charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs
attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned
between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis
Tangible assets
19

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible assets (continued)
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other
recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been
recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying
amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses,
except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within
other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated
so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual
value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Freehold property
Fixtures and fittings
2% straight line
- 25% reducing balance
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable
amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the
recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for
possible reversal at each reporting date.
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable
amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of th
cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smalles
identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely
independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the
acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from
the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity
are assigned to those units.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the
contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including
any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other
consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
20

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured
reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value
recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at
cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless
payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest
that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future
payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments
subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes
recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a
designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence
of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an
impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial
activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all
equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are
individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are
either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not
result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would
have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
Defined contribution plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which
the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent
that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the
reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a
discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in
the period in which it arises.
4. Limited by guarantee
Every member of the Charity undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required (not
exceeding £1) to the Charity's assets if it should be wound up while he or she is a member or
within one year after he or she ceases to be a member, for payment of the Charity's debts and
liabilities contracted before he or she ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and
expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among
themselves.
Number of members of the charity as at 31 March 2025 is 7 (2024: 6).
21

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Donations and legacies
Donations
Donations
6.
Charitable activities
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted
Total Funds
Funds
2025
Funds
2024
3,328
3,328
4,632
4,632
Small Grants
John James Bristol Foundation
BNWFB
Bristol City Funds BCH Health and Wellbeing
Quartet Community Foundation
Van Neste
WHAM Grant
IMA Grant
Garfield Weston
The Dolphin Society
Henry Smith Charity
Bristol Wessex Billing Services
The Allen & Overy Foundation
Groundwork
MaPS Grant
Shire
Access to Justice - HALS
Access to Justice - IOTLS
Access to Justice - CIF
The National Lottery
Bristol City Council - Cost of Living
Bristol City Council - IAG
Bristol City Council - HSF
South Gloucestershire CC - Cost of Living
South Gloucestershire CC
The Nisbet Trust
St Monica Trust
Unrestricted
Funds
€
7,126
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
12000
57,624
=
44,560
16,500
-
147,810
Restricted Total Funds
2025
11,000
7,126
11,000
11,758
11,758
19,167
19,167
19,180
-
-
10,000
60,000
=
12,539
125,121
-
71,637
1,667
42,104
=
21,000
405,173
10,000
12,539
125,121
12,000
71.637
1.667
57,624
42,104
44,560
16,500
21,000
552,983
22

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
6.
Charitable activities (continued)
Unrestricted
Funds
700
Small Grants
John James Bristol Foundation
BNWFB
Bristol City Funds BCH Health and Wellbeing
Quartet Community Foundation
Van Neste
WHAM Grant
IMA Grant
Garfield Weston
The Dolphin Society
Henry Smith Charity
Bristol Wessex Billing Services
The Allen & Overy Foundation
Groundwork
MaPS Grant
Shire
Access to Justice - HALS
Access to Justice - IOTLS
Access to Justice - CIF
The National Lottery
Bristol City Council - Cost of Living
Bristol City Council - IAG
Bristol City Council - HSF
South Gloucestershire CC - Cost of Living
South Gloucestershire CC
The Nisbet Trust
St Monica Trust
4,200
=
12,000
-
12,196
57,624
34,604
16,500
157,824
Restricted Total Funds
Funds
2024
833
700
833
19,901
19,901
5,340
5,340
8,333
8,333
10,000
10,000
8,250
8,250
4,011
4,011
10,000
20,000
10,000
60,000
60,000
4,200
115,376
12,500
51,883
8,333
14,617
20.000
20,000
116.376
12,000
12,500
51,883
12,196
8,333
14,617
57,624
20,000
20,000
34,604
16,500
16,660
386,037
16,660
543,861
23

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
7. Other trading activities
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted
Total Funds
Funds
2025
Funds
2024
815
815
10,054
10,054
Room Hire
Investment income
Bank interest receivable
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted
Total Funds
Funds
2025
Funds
2024
15,227
15.227
7.021
9.
Other income
Advice Services
Miscellaneous
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds
2025
€
Funds
2024
19,617
19,617
-
-
5,368
5,368
874
874
19,617
19,617
6,242
6.242
24

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
10. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
Charitable activities
Support costs
Unrestricted
Funds
147,158
3,673
150,831
11. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
Activities
undertaken
directly
Charitable Activities
Governance costs
544,254
544,254
Activities directly undertaken can be further analysed as:
Grants
Wages and salaries
Employer's NIC
Pension costs
Other employment benefits
Rates and water
Light and heat
Repairs and maintenance
Insurance
Other motor/travel costs
Legal and professional fees
Telephone
Other office costs
Depreciation
Finance costs
Marketing and publicity
Subscriptions and membership
Sundries
Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds
2025
2024
397,096
544,254
529,880
8,077
11,750
9,930
405,173
556,004
539,810
Support Total funds
costs
2025
544,254
11,750
11,750
11,750
556,004
Total fund
2024
529,880
9,930
539,810
-
392,397
27,262
14,137
20711
10,483
21,232
3,461
1,783
15,576
11,090
32,426
4,931
11,685
1,983
2,057
1,639
556,004
2024
6,183
365,814
23,566
10,877
5,492
2,330
4,837
17,515
2,228
2,546
11,978
11,882
47,933
8,997
11,165
2,010
3,845
539,810
25

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
12. Analysis of support costs
Finance costs
Governance costs
Analysis of
support costs
65
11,685
11,750
Total 2025
€
65
11,685
11,750
Total 2024
62
9,868
9,930
13. Analysis of grants
2025
Grants to individuals
Grants to individuals
Total grants
14. Net income
Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
15. Independent examination fees
2024
6,183
6,183
2025
€
4,931
2024
8,997
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements
2025
€
2,286
2024
2,202
16. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follow 2024
Wages and salaries
392,397
Social security costs
27,262
Employer contributions to pension plans
14,137
Other employee benefits
2,111
435,907
365,814
23,566
10,877
5,492
405,749
26

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
16. Staff costs (continued)
The average head count of employees during the year was 19 (2024: 17). The average number
of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2025
No.
2024
No.
Number of staff - management
Number of staff - administration
Number of staff - support workers
2
15
19
13
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
17. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No remuneration or expenses or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related
entity were received by the trustees
18. Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
19. Debtors
Freehold Fixtures and
property
fitings
61,479
233,523
25,947
4,670
30,617
202,906
207,576
60,434
261
60,695
784
1,045
Total
295,002
86,381
4,931
91,312
203,690
208,621
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
2025
20,966
1,806
22,772
2024
13,016
6,597
19,613
27

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
20. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
2025
6,769
49,336
1.201
64,244
2024
21,305
42,536
10,633
2,370
76,844
21. Deferred income
2025
47,050
2024
40,334
Amount deferred in year
22. Pensions and other post retirement benefits
Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined
contribution plans was £14,137 (2024: £10,877).
23. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Reserve for Building Repairs
Reserve for Redundancy and Sickness
Reserve for Capital Expenditure
General funds
Reserve for Building Repairs
Reserve for Redundancy and Sickness
Reserve for Capital Expenditure
At
1 April
2024
€
202,310
10,000
50,000
240,891
503,201
At
1 April
2023
170,310
10,000
50,000
240,891
471,201
Income Expenditure
186,797
(150,831)
186,797
(150,831)
Income Expenditure
185,773
(153,773)
185,773
(153,773)
At
31 March
2025
238,276
10,000
50,000
240,891
539,167
At
31 March
2024
202,310
10,000
50,000
240,891
503,201
28

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
23. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)
Restricted funds
At
1 April
2024
John James Bristol Foundation
BNWEB
Bristol City Funds BCH Health and
Wellbeing
Here mi hairy,
Van Neste
The National Lottery
St Monica Trust
MaPS Grant Redundancy
South Gloucestershire CC - Cost of
Living
WHAM Grant
Bristol City Council - HSF
Bristol City Council - Cost of Living
The Dolphin Society
Access to Justice - HALS
Access to Justice - IOTLS
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,197
=
-
-
-
-
9,197
Income
Expenditure
11,000
(11,000)
11,758
(11,758)
12,539
60,000
125,121
19,167
1,667
21,000
(12,539)
(60,000)
(125,121)
(19,167)
(1,667)
(21,000)
19,180
42,104
10,000
71,637
405,173
(19,180)
(42,104)
(10,000)
(71,637)
(405,173)
At
31 March
2025
-
-
-
-
-
9,197
=
-
-
-
-
9,197
29

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
23. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)
At
1 April
2023
Names Bristol Foundation
Bristol City Funds BCH Health and
Wellbeing
Groundwork
Henry Smith Charity
MaPS Grant
Quartet
Van Neste
The National Lottery
St Monica Trust
MaPS Grant Redundancy
South Gloucestershire CC - Cost of
Living
WHAM Grant
IMA Grant
Bristol City Council - HSF
Bristol City Council - Cost of Living
The Dolphin Society
Access to Justice - HALS
Access to Justice - IOTL$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,197
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,197
Income Expenditure
833
(833)
19,901
(19,901)
5,340
(5,340)
60,000
(60,000)
115,376
8,333
(115,376)
(8,333)
10,000
(10,000)
8,333
(8,333)
16,660
(16,660)
20,000
8,250
4,011
20,000
14,617
10,000
12,500
51,883
386,037
(20,000)
(8,250)
(4,011)
(20,000)
(14,617)
(10,000)
(12,500)
(51,883)
(386,037)
At
31 March
2024
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,197
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,197
30

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
23. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)
Purpose of restricted funds 2024/25
The Access to Justice Foundation - IOTLS - towards our triage and outreach services,
providing early intervention legal advice support to vulnerable residents.
BNWFB - towards delivery of debt advice services at Bristol Northwest Foodbank in Avonmouth.
BCC Household Support Fund - part of city-wide partnership to increase access to advice
services by increasing complex casework capacity and priority referrals with Housing Matters.
The Dolphin Society - towards our Home Visiting Advice Service.
Groundworks - capital funding towards energy efficiency works, including solar panel
installation.
Henry Smith Charity - this grant was awarded towards the salary and running costs of our
advice services.
IMA - funding towards our debt work and debt relief orders.
John James Bristol Foundation - awarded towards non salary operational costs.
MaPS - funding of our main debt service and the provision of face to face debt advice.
MaPS redundancy reserve - this money is for the provision of redundancy as full and final
settlement of all of MAS's obligations under the funding agreement it has with NBAC.
The National Community Lottery - Awards 4 All - towards the running costs of our advice
services.
Quartet Community Foundation - towards providing welfare benefits advice support to older
people on low incomes to secure legal entitlements and maximise income.
St Monica Trust - grant for our Bristol Tea and Tech Outreach project, working with community
partners to take digital support into community settings.
WHAM - Part of a partnership project, providing advice to residents struggling with high fuel bills,
referred by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the lead partner.
Purpose of Designated Funds
Building Repairs Reserve - this reserve has been established to set aside funds for future
repairs and maintenance on the building.
Redundancy and Sickness Reserve - this reserve has been set up to cover the cost of
potential redundancies, sickness and maternity pay.
Capital Expenditure Reserve - this reserve represents the capital assets value owned by the
charity that do not make up part of the charity's free reserves.
31

North Bristol Advice Centre
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
24. Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors less than 1 year
Net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors less than 1 year
Net assets
25. Analysis of changes in net debt
Cash at bank and in hand
Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds
2025
203,690
203,690
408,918
408,918
(64,244)
(64,244)
548,364
548,364
Unrestricted
Total Funds
Funds
2024
€
208,621
208,621
380,621
380,621
(76,844)
(76,844)
512,398
512,398
At
1 Apr 2024
361,008
Cash flows 31 Mar 2025
25,138
386,146
32